Is what’s good for Wall Street good for the economy?Simon Johnson writes that attitudes towards big banks are changing all over the world, but not here. “Top Obama administration officials refuse to change their opinions in the slightest; they have dug in behind the idea that they represent the moderate center on banking policy. This is a weak position; it is simply a myth with no factual basis – the people who pushed effectively for more reform over the past few months were the center, not the left, of the Democratic party.” He then concludes: “Our top policymakers are simply convinced that what is good for the biggest and most dangerous element on Wall Street is good for the American economy.”

Zipcar to go public: John Cook writes that the Zipcar IPO news is “another example of a Seattle company that slipped away.” Zipcar purchased its primary rival, Seattle-based Flexcar, in 2007. It proceeded to consolidate HQ operations in Massachusetts. And that speaks to a bigger issue. “Why aren’t swing-for-the-fences upstarts — the types of companies that file for $75 million IPOs — emerging in Seattle,” Cook asks.

PE and campaign contributions:Our colleagues over at Private Equity Beat report that PE firms must strike a balance between their concern about running afoul of SEC’s proposed rules and their desire to make their voice heard in government, particularly in the face of increased federal and local legislation that impacts their industry.